Jill Will Run

At the health expo for the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon I was introduced to Emuprofen, a topical ibuprofen cream.

A topical ibuprofen is a good choice for athletes because it allows the pain-relief to get directly into the tissue where it is needed. Plus, taking ibuprofen orally before or during training/racing is generally not considered to be a good plan because it can slow blood flow to the kidneys, interfering with hormones that retain salt.

This product has several different ingredients, each with their own beneficial properties.

• Emu Oil: This is rich in Omega oils, a natural anti-inflammatory but also very effective for transporting the other ingredients through the skin into the tissue.
• Glucosamine/MSM: These have been shown to aid in cartilage metabolism, thus helping to repair and rebuild damaged cartilage and prevent future erosion.
• Arnica: The extract from this wildflower is thought to help soothe muscle aches, heal wounds and speed bruise recovery.
• Ibuprofen: This is often recommended by doctors as an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

The product is all-natural, odorless and won’t stain clothing. I used the samples I received at the expo on my tense neck/back muscles in the days after the race and it provided great relief. Recently I started rubbing it onto my painful, black, big toenails and it actually alleviates the pain! I’ve been pleasantly surprised at that since I just tried it on a whim.

It can be used to treat a variety of ailments that can afflict a runner: shin splints, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, muscle inflammation, etc. It’s not just for runners either, it can be used to treat a variety of issues. The literature includes: arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow… Basically, anybody who has any kind of pain (which is everybody at times, right?).

I like the idea of a topical ibuprofen and this product has impressed me. I would definitely recommend it as a form of immediate pain relief.